Keywords in Australian Politics

Keywords in Australian Politics is much more than a dictionary. It outlines the main meanings of over one hundred words essential to understanding contemporary Australian politics. Political language is often used without explanation in the media, public debate, textbooks and lectures. Here at last is a book that provides Australians with the necessary information to use these terms with confidence in public discussion and debate, from the dinner party to the end-of-semester essay. This book defines each keyword, highlights links between different keywords, outlines the main debates concerning each keyword and indicates how they came to be part of Australian political language. Although the book is arranged alphabetically, systematic cross-referencing allows readers to follow their own trails of enquiry. This book is essential reading for everyone who wants to understand Australian political culture and ideas.

About the Author

Dr. Rodney Smith is a senior lecturer in the Discipline of Government and International Relations and the Graduate School of Government at the University of Sydney. He is the author of Australian Political Culture (2001) and The New South Wales State Election 1999 (2000), as well as a number of articles and chapters on Australian politics. He edited three editions of the popular textbook Politics in Australia between 1989 and 1997. Dr Ariadne Vromen is a lecturer in Government at the University of Sydney. Her co-authored book, Powerscape (2005), presents a new approach to the study of Australian politics. She has published articles in The Australian Journal of Political Science, City and Community, Contemporary Politics, Third Sector Review and The Journal of Youth Studies. Dr Ian Cook teaches and researches political theory, politics and the internet and Australian politics at Murdoch University. He is the author of three books - Reading Mill (1998), Liberalism in Australia (1999) and Government and Democracy in Australia (2004) - as well as a number of articles in journals such as Prometheus, Social Alternatives, and the Australian Journal of Political Science.